Palmetto State News

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) did not respond to requests for comment about his position on President Joe Biden's handling of the latest Afghanistan crisis that so far has resulted in 13 service members being killed.

KDVR reported that 38 South Carolinians have died as a result of the Afghanistan crisis.

Over the course of several days, U.S. troops have been helping to evacuate Afghanistan allies and Americans who are within the war-torn country following the swift takeover by the Taliban forces. 

The Taliban’s taking of Kabul, the nation’s capital, with little resistance and the hurried efforts from the Biden administration to get people out has faced criticism from both political parties and has hurt his approval ratings.

More than 69% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, according to data from a Trafalgar poll.

Adding to Biden’s negative approval rating over the handling of evacuations is that  the  State Department has been unable to assist all the Americans stranded in Afghanistan. The department instructed people not to call the embassy for help, asserting in an official advisory, “Do not call the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for details or updates about the flight,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

The Pentagon has yet to release statistics regarding how many Americans are stranded in the war-torn country, a notion that General Jack Keane told Fox News was “insulting” and that the country has a right to know.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has organized a hotline for Americans who have been left behind in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of American forces. Americans can call 501-223-9081  or email evac@cotton.senate.gov. 

“The situation is dire, but we’ll do everything in our power to help keep you informed and to help get you out,” Cotton’s website said.

The Taliban created checkpoints to the airport that have stalled efforts by Americans to flee the country via the international airport in Kabul.

Biden has said that he will stick with the plan of removing US forces by the end of the month, which could result in “dozens of armored vehicles and U.S. Army Apache gunships” abandoned in the country.